EPA To Impose Limits On Trace Gas Necessary For Life For Coal Plants

Well, since he cannot get that to happen through legislation, even during the time Democrats fully controlled the Senate and House, (NMP) Obama looks to have the EPA institute regulations which will lead to higher energy costs and less available energy

(Washington Post) The Environmental Protection Agency will issue the first limits on greenhouse gas emissions from new power plants as early as Tuesday, according to several people briefed on the proposal. The move could end the construction of conventional coal-fired facilities in the United States.

The proposed rule – years in the making and approved by the White House after months of review – will require any new power plant to emit no more than 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt of electricity produced. The average U.S. natural gas plant, which emits 800 to 850 pounds of CO2 per megawatt, meets that standard; coal plants emit an average of 1,768 pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt.

As I’ve stated many times, I’m not a fan of coal. But, until the use of coal can be replaced (42% of electricity comes from coal) in a cost effective and usable manner, this is a singularly piss poor idea. Energy prices are already rising to uncomfortable rates, and this will not help

Industry officials and environmentalists said in interviews that the rule, which comes on the heels of tough new requirements that the Obama administration imposed on mercury emissions and cross-state pollution from utilities within the past year, dooms any proposal to build a coal-fired plant that does not have costly carbon controls.

“This standard effectively bans new coal plants,” said Joseph Stanko, who heads government relations at the law firm Hunton and Williams and represents several utility companies. “So I don’t see how that is an ‘all of the above’ energy policy.”

One caveat is that existing plants and those that have permits and begin construction within a year are exempted. But, because of regulations already passed, around 300 coal fired plants are going to close. Fortunately, we’ll have plenty of solar panels to replace the megawatts lost from federally subsidized companies such as Solyndra and First Solar…..oh.